‘I can’t do it’: Fed-up mom allegedly gave toddler to strangers at restaurant before fleeing

A woman who reportedly left her toddler child with complete strangers at a Kountry Kitchen restaurant in Vero Beach, Florida, was arrested last Saturday for unlawful desertion of a child.

TCPalmreports that Amber Warner, 31, approached a couple leaving the restaurant and at first, told them she had found the child. As the conversation continued, Warner reportedly began crying and told the couple that she loved her son. She then said, “I can’t do it” before placing a barefoot toddler on the ground in front of them and driving away in a truck.

Police investigated the incident, which led them to the suspect at a home off of Eighth Court. She allegedly resisted arrested, leading to an “resisting arrest without charge.” The local jail initially wouldn’t book her because of her high intoxication level. She was taken to a hospital, where she reportedly resisted when a deputy tried to restrain her.

According to a state Department of Children and Families (DCF) spokesperson, Paige Paterson-Hughes, the child is now in foster care.

The suspect apparently was arrested before. She was previously convicted of credit card fraud and involvement with stolen property. She served time in prison and was released in May 2016.

Officers indicated that the child was in “relatively good health” when they discovered him.